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networked 8xHD810/1010 kiosk installation



We are designing a eight-screen kiosk installation, using the Brightsign HD 810 or 1010. We are waiting for our demo units to arrive, but need to hit the ground running in regards to programming. The project calls for main videos and interactive programs moving in a "carousel" around the installation. We would like to know if the following program structure is possible using networked HD 810/1010's & BrightScript playlist formatting.

Each kiosk has two states, playing unique video feature content, and an interactive program. While each kiosk's content is unique, the video assets have uniform times and formats.

The interactive programs are static states whose action is triggered by audience input (currently via an arcade button or other basic interface). This input will trigger short-form video assets, then return to the base interactive state, awaiting the next input trigger.

•At the start of the program, Kiosk 1 plays Video A (:60), then Video B (:30). WHILE Kiosk 1 plays through these assets, ALL OTHER Kiosks (2 -> <!-- s8) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_cool.gif" alt="8)" title="Cool" /><!-- s8) --> run their interactive states.

•When Kiosk 1/Video B ENDS, two actions occur: Kiosk 1 BEGINS its interactive program, and Kiosk 2 BEGINS it's Video A/B program. ALL OTHER Kiosks remain in their interactive state.

•When Kiosk 2/Video B ENDS, two actions occur: Kiosk 2 BEGINS its interactive state, and Kiosk 3 BEGINS it's Video A/B program. ALL OTHER Kiosks remain in their interactive state, and so on around the Kiosks.

The rotation is always linear from Kiosk 1 -> 8. When Kiosk 8 ENDS its Video A/B program, the rotation starts again from Kiosk 1's Video A/B program.

To put it plainly, is this program possible via networked HD 810/1010's? Additionally, if we were to require BrightSign's assistance in developing these program scripts,* what would be the expected turnaround time on such a request, and what is the rate for your programming services?

*(<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.brightsign.biz/implement.php">http://www.brightsign.biz/implement.php</a><!-- m --> "Contact our sales team to learn more about our BrightSign Scripting Services. We offer hourly rates to customize interactivity or special controllers in presentations.")

thanks for your assistance and insights.

bg

2 comments

  • 0
    Avatar
    RokuLyndon


    Depending on what you need, there might not be any custom services required. I can provide assistance getting you up and running. So far, what you describe sounds like it can be done using a an interactive playlist.





    You could connect all 8 units together using ethernet, and each unit can have a manually set IP address.



    Since playback is sequential, each unit only has to signal the next unit that it's finished.



    My understanding of this so far is the following:



    1. Unit 1 plays two videos.

    2. At the end of video 2, unit 1 tells unit 2 to start.

    3. While unit 1 is playing its two videos, playback cannot be interrupted.





    Now, let's says unit 5 is play through it's A/B sequence, and all the others are in their interactive state, what happens if a user pushes a button on unit # 6? How does the interactive part work?





    As far as how this would work on the Brightsign, chapter 4 of the user's guide talks about interactive playlists.



    On each unit, you can set the IP address of the unit it's going to talk to, and a port number. They can all use the same port number both for sending and receiving signals. Or, if you don't want to have to worry about  what IP address each unit is using, you can set different port numbers for each unit, and have each unit just send a message to the next port # in the list. And, only the unit with matching port number would respond.



    http://www.brightsign.biz/downloads/interactive_sample.JPG
  • 0
    Avatar
    billygomberg


    thanks for the detailed reply Lyndon.  Our test units showed up today so I'm happy to have a strong starting position here, and I'm glad that my description of the system was clear.



    regarding your question



    Now, let's says unit 5 is play through it's A/B sequence, and all the others are in their interactive state, what happens if a user pushes a button on unit # 6? How does the interactive part work?





    The interactive programs are currently a bit rough, but the idea is that user input would trigger one of ~three very short video assets, which return the kiosk to the base interactive state.  So, if 5 is playing, and a user interacts w/6, 6 performs the interactive routines until 5 is done with the a/b sequence.  I'm certain that I will have to put a "wait" statement into the playlist so that, if 5 finishes the A/B while 6 is the midst of an interactive bit, 6 will not start it's A/B until it has finished the interactive.



    Lastly, I realize that I left out one detail of the "carousel" sequencing.



    Because we are arranging the 8 kiosks in a rectangle, the "carousel" will actually operate as such:



    at the start of the program 1 AND 5 will play their A/B program, then 2 AND 6, and so on.  judging from your response, I don't see this being a significant addition to the program.



    thanks again for your support here.  I'm looking forward to seeing the Brightsign in action...
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